Maya Bay was one of the places we most wanted to see during our 2017 Thailand trip. We went with a baby and a toddler, and the cliffs and clear water made a lasting impression. This is our original trip story, with important changes to access and family boating advice added on 6 November 2026.

What has changed at Maya Bay?

Maya Bay reopened on 1 October 2026 after its seasonal conservation closure. Swimming in the bay remains prohibited. Our old video shows the visit as it happened in 2017, so it should not be used as a guide to today’s permitted activities. Check the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s reopening update and the current visitor-rule report, then confirm park access and sea conditions with your operator.

Our boat trip from Ko Phi Phi Don

We chose a private longtail boat for a half-day outing because we wanted some flexibility with the children. We arranged it near Ao Tonsai Pier when we were ready to leave. Our journey took about half an hour, and we spent a little over an hour at the bay. Those timings describe our trip; routes, access arrangements and conditions can be different now.

A safety lesson from our trip

In our original account, Javi wore a swimming vest and Joaquin was in a baby carrier. We should not have presented those choices as adequate boating protection. A swimming aid is not an approved lifejacket, and a carrier is not a life-saving device. Calm water and other boats nearby do not make up for unsuitable equipment.

Before booking, confirm that the operator can provide an approved lifejacket that fits every child’s weight and size, and ask about its safety procedures and local requirements. If a suitable infant lifejacket is unavailable, or conditions are unsuitable, postpone the trip. NSW’s children-and-lifejackets guide is a useful equipment reference, although local Thai rules must also be followed.

Planning with young children

Choose a licensed operator, explain the children’s ages when booking and ask how passengers board and disembark. Discuss shade, journey length, toilet stops, drinking water and the option to turn back. Build the day around your family rather than trying to fit every island stop into one outing.

What we paid at the time

We agreed on 1,500 baht for our private boat and paid 1,800 baht after a trip we enjoyed. These are historical 2017 figures, not current quotes. Ask for the total price, including park charges and any child fees, before confirming a booking.

You can also read about our visit to Pileh Lagoon and our stay on Ko Phi Phi.

See our photos from this trip on Instagram.